New Format on 990 AM

[theradiokid]

Acording to Scott Fybush's Northeast Radio Watch, the 990 AM radio station that is simulcasting the new "Legends" at 102.7 is getting a new format. Acording to Fybush, starting sometime today, WLGZ(AM) is switching to a religious format of some kind, and changing it's calls to WRCI, the calllsign that was used on 102.7 before the switch to "Legends."

Well, I'm listening to the radio station now from here in Oswego, and at 12-12P.M., they're still simulcasting the "Legends" format of 102.7 FM. However, I did hear a legal ID at noon that identified the station as "WRCI, Rochester, and WRCI-HD, Rochester."

I just tried to call the station to get confirmation of the format flip, but noone answered the phone over there at Crawford Broadcasting.

My opinion: With the new callsign already being ID'd, it does look as if something is going on over there. However, Fybush wrote that the format was supposed to start today. Well, it didn't start at 6, and it didn't start at noon. So, what's the next logical time? This afternoon at 3OClock? 4OClock? 5OClock? 6OClock tonight? 7? 8? 9? 10? 11?... Crawford, if you're gonna launch a new format (especially on a Monday), please do us all a favor and launch it with your full lineup fresh out of the gate. Please don't just give us an hour or two in the evening. Launch it early on Monday to give people the chance to get used to the new format.

I'll be watching this station today, but in case I miss it, if anyone hears the new format launch (and what they're calling the thing), please let me know.

--The Radio Kid
(AKA Oswego Jeremy, as nicknamed by George of the Radio Racket.)
My email: [email protected].

 

[theradiokid]

Well, it's after 10OClock here in Oswego, and as of my last check on WRCI at 7 this evening, it was still relaying WLGZ(FM.)

MR. Fybush: I know you frequent these boards, so I know you'll be reading this. In the future, when you get a launch date for a format, please make sure it is correct before printing it as a fact. Thank you.

--The Radio Kid
(AKA Oswego Jeremy, as nicknamed by George of the Radio Racket.)
My email: [email protected].

 

[JakeLongwell]

Jeremy, I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be in such a big hurry to see (and hear) a new brokered religious station come to the Rochestar airwaves. If you've heard one of these stations, you've basically heard them all.

As to the delayed format launch, I wouldn't necessarily blame Scott, or anyone else, for any published info that may or may not have been correct. There could be any number of reasons as to why this "new format" didn't launch on time. Perhaps the organization(s) that are purchasing time on the station were not quite ready to supply their programming, or there may have been a problem with the delivery method of said programming. It may have been an "in house" problem with the computer system that will program the station. Or, it could be something entriely different that just isn't comming to mind at the moment.

Whatever they put on AM 990, we can be sure of one thing. It will be nothing like the great full service, community oriented format the station once had as WNYR, and therefore, will not even be worth listening to.

 

[theradiokid]

Jake,

You're probably right. The new format will probably be nothing to write home about, but at least it won't be a wasteful simulcast of an FM station anymore.. What I wanna know is: Will they run Christian music in the afternoon like they used to do? I hope so. Also, how 'bout a Christian Rock format sometime on Saturdays.

--The Radio Kid
(AKA Oswego Jeremy, as nicknamed by George of the Radio Racket.)
My email: [email protected].

 

[Mark Giardina]

Whatever they put on AM 990, we can be sure of one thing. It will be nothing like the great full service, community oriented format the station once had as WNYR, and therefore, will not even be worth listening to.

That's the truth! 990 WNYR was a great radio station until a bunch of dot.com millionaires from Boston bought the station and turned into a latch-key operation. Since then 990 has had more formats than Joan Rivers has had face-lifts.

People on here lament on what radio was really like when there was personality radio. Well that was 990am. Malrite was a great company to work for with managers who cared about employees and employees who loved their jobs.

The early 1980s were some of the best times in broadcasting for me. I'm just sorry to see that era go.

 

[jefflaurence]

You're right about Malrite. They were good to thier people, and made you want to work the extra mile for them. Ever run into a guy named John Chaffee? Whale of a nice guy, and great to work with. I got to be the first station voice guy for the (Then) new WFLX-TV in Palm Beach in 1983 before Fox came along..and wow did we get to do some great promos for movies there..Great company.

 

[cee]

I was just listening to AM990 in the car, out of curiosity. They apparently aren't all leased religion. I just heard a doctor doing a nationally syndicated medical advice show. No mention of Jesus, God, The Bible. I'm guessing they are mostly paid religion, but other paid shows are welcome too.

Malrite was a great company to work for with managers who cared about employees and employees who loved their jobs.

I never worked there, but wanted to. In the 80s, when I was getting disillusioned with radio and all the mom and pop dirtbag outfits I'd worked for, I used the dream of working for Malrite/WNYR - and a few other good companies/stations to work for - as an inspiration to keep chipping away. I even met PD Jeffrey G once - but never had the pleasure of working there. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end - especially in radio. Tim Kincaid was one of the best morning men I ever heard.

 

[Mark Giardina]

In the 80s, when I was getting disillusioned with radio and all the mom and pop dirtbag outfits I'd worked for, I used the dream of working for Malrite/WNYR - and a few other good companies/stations to work for - as an inspiration to keep chipping away. I even met PD Jeffrey G once - but never had the pleasure of working there. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end - especially in radio. Tim Kincaid was one of the best morning men I ever heard.

Tim was one of the most talented people I worked with in radio, along with Tom Keller, Jim Kelly (not the QB), Sila McGrath and a host of others who worked for Malrite. For me the only other company that compares to Malrite is Radio Livingston LTD, owners of WYSL.

You're right, it is a shame that all good things come to an end. Let that be a warning to those currently working in broadcasting who might think that everything is going great guns. Not to sound like the Profit of Doom, but be forewarned, the ax may also fall on you.

 

[cee]

You're right, it is a shame that all good things come to an end. Let that be a warning to those currently working in broadcasting who might think that everything is going great guns. Not to sound like the Profit of Doom, but be forewarned, the ax may also fall on you

Ask not on whom the ax falls - it falls on thee

 

[OttoM]

Well, it's after 10OClock here in Oswego, and as of my last check on WRCI at 7 this evening, it was still relaying WLGZ(FM.)

MR. Fybush: I know you frequent these boards, so I know you'll be reading this. In the future, when you get a launch date for a format, please make sure it is correct before printing it as a fact. Thank you.

Jeremy - with all due respect - Mr. Fybush has forgotten more about the radio business than you'll ever know, so spare him the chastising. Sometimes dates and times of changes can be moved for many reasons.